Zimbabwe face Aussie heartbreak
Barely a week after India pulled out of its scheduled visit to Zimbabwe, the local national cricket team stares another heartbreak with their tour of australia set to be cancelled.
The senior men’s national team was scheduled to tour australia for three one-day internationals (ODIs), but despite Cricket australia (Ca) having recently confirmed the series as they announced their fixtures list, the series is set to be another casualty of the coronavirus effects.
Ca this week downsized its staff as a cost-cutting measure.
The former world champions’ coach Justin langer hinted on possible cancellation of the Zimbabwe series.
He was quoted as saying he would be looking to prepare his team for a return to action in September. and with the Zimbabwe series having been scheduled for august 9, 12 and 15, it was a clear indication that australia were no longer keen on the series.
Zimbabwe national cricket team players returned to training on Monday in preparation for a visit to australia which would have been preceded by a T-20 series against afghanistan in Harare.
The afghanistan series is, however, likely to take place.
langer said there was still much to be assessed, but judging by the timelines that had been provided, the Zimbabwe series would be scrapped.
“I am not sure when the soonest is (about the return to action). There is obviously complexities to all these things,” he said.
“Same with england. I’d imagine it’s really important for english cricket that the australian cricket team goes there if we can. But it is not as simple as that. With isolation periods and preparation then when we come back [and] when the ICC (International Cricket Council) make the decision in July about the World Cup. Then if the IPl (India Premier league) is going on, there is so many moving parts at the moment. What I know is we will focus on being ready for early September.”
Outside the World Cup, this would have been Zimbabwe’s first visit to australia in 12 years and the local players were looking forward to the trip.
The biggest blow was losing out on hosting India, which would have come with a huge financial boost for the financially-troubled Zimbabwe Cricket.
India have had to put plans of visiting both Zimbabwe and Sri lanka on hold due to the effects of the coronavirus.